Healthcare (Telehealth) in Hawaii

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 59: REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES TO AUTHORIZE CERTAIN HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS TO ENGAGE IN THE PRACTICE OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PROFESSIONS IN THE STATE WITHOUT A HAWAII-ISSUED LICENSE DURING A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Governor of Hawaii to create procedures allowing out-of-state health care professionals to practice temporarily during a state of emergency without holding a Hawaii license. The measure specifically targets physicians, nurses, pharmacists, mental health counselors, and other designated professionals who must hold valid licenses in their home jurisdictions and be affiliated with recognized emergency response organizations. Key provisions include permitting telehealth services without prior patient relationships, requiring professionals to register within 24 hours of deployment, and limiting authorization to 60 days or until the emergency ends. The resolution also establishes an online registry for tracking participating professionals and includes liability protections for the state while maintaining malpractice standards for the practitioners.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health Telehealth

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 43: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE COST AND BENEFITS OF HIRING MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS FOR EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL AND OF DISTRIBUTING GUIDELINES ON TELEHEALTH SAFE SPACES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Education to work with the Department of Health to study the costs and benefits of hiring mental health professionals in public schools. The study would examine staffing ratios, such as one professional for every 250 students or one per school with fewer students, and analyze guidelines for creating safe telehealth spaces during school hours. The resolution directs the departments to prepare a report with findings and recommendations for the Legislature by late 2026. This measure is a non-binding request for information gathering rather than a law that immediately changes policy.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Mental Health Telehealth

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 42: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE COST AND BENEFITS OF HIRING MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS FOR EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL AND OF DISTRIBUTING GUIDELINES ON TELEHEALTH SAFE SPACES.

This Senate Resolution asks Hawaii's Department of Education to work with the Department of Health to study the costs and benefits of hiring mental health professionals for every public school, with staffing ratios of one professional per 250 students or one per smaller school. The study will also examine guidelines for creating safe, quiet spaces on school campuses where students can access telehealth services during regular school hours. The resolution directs the Department of Education to complete this study and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This measure is a Senate Resolution, which means it expresses the Senate's position rather than creating immediate law.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Mental Health Telehealth

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 21: REQUESTING THE HAWAIʻI HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION'S EAST HAWAIʻI REGIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM TO CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON ESTABLISHING A RURAL HEALTH CLINIC OR COMPARABLE RURAL HEALTH ACCESS POINT TO SERVE THE VOLCANO COMMUNITY.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 21) requests the Hawai'i Health Systems Corporation's East Hawai'i Regional Health Care System to study establishing a rural health clinic or similar access point in Volcano, Hawaii. The resolution directly affects Volcano residents and visitors, who currently lack nearby primary care, emergency stabilization, and consistent medical services due to geographic isolation and hazards. The study must examine potential sites, operational models (like part-time care or telehealth), staffing, costs, partnerships with local groups, and benefits for emergency response and chronic care. The East Hawai'i Region must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by late 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Primary Care Telehealth

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2098: RELATING TO THE PSYCHOLOGY INTERJURISDICTIONAL COMPACT.

HB 2098 authorizes the state to join the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYCOMP), a multi-state agreement. If enacted, it would allow licensed psychologists in participating states to provide telehealth services and practice across state lines more easily. This directly affects licensed psychologists seeking to serve clients in other compact states and their clients. The bill itself only establishes the state's ability to enter the compact; it does not create new licensing rules or requirements.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health Telehealth

passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 557: RELATING TO TELEHEALTH.

Extends the sunset date of Act 107, SLH 2023, which allows for the reimbursement of services provided through telehealth via an interactive telecommunications system, until 12/31/2026. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Telehealth Telecommunications

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 956: RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

Allows a patient seen in-person by another health care provider in the same medical group as the prescribing physician to be prescribed an opiate prescription for a three-day supply or less via telehealth.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Telehealth

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 2314: RELATING TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEMS OF CARE.

HB 2314 modernizes Hawaii's emergency medical services (EMS) statutes to align with current best practices. It directly affects EMS providers, ambulance services, and emergency care systems across the state by updating outdated regulations. The bill focuses on revising statutory requirements for training, equipment, and protocols to reflect contemporary medical standards. This update aims to improve the efficiency and quality of emergency care delivery without specifying new funding or penalties.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Telehealth Tags Public Safety

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2206: RELATING TO STUDENT ACCESS TO TELEHEALTH SERVICES.

Requires the Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Health, to develop and distribute to each public middle and high school in the State guidelines for the establishment and operation of safe spaces for students to access telehealth services on school property during normal school hours. Requires each public middle and high school to establish and maintain a safe space for students according to the guidelines.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Safety Student Health Mental Health Telehealth

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2167: RELATING TO THE HAWAII PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ACT.

Revises the Hawaii Patients' Bill of Rights and Responsibilities Act by: (1) Establishing new provisions on telehealth parity, prior authorization timelines, and automated decision systems; (2) Enhancing medical data protection and privacy standards; (3) Expanding the insurance commissioner's enforcement authority; and (4) Improving network adequacy, internal and external appeals procedures, and reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Telehealth Artificial Intelligence Data Privacy

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